Arsenal strengthen control of group with Juve win

Published on: 07 December 2022

Arsenal remain unbeaten in the Champions League this season with three wins and one draw

Arsenal strengthened their control of Champions League Group C as they recorded a tricky victory over Juventus at Emirates Stadium.

Vivianne Miedema scored the only goal, a stunning half-volley from Stina Blackstenius' cross on 16 minutes.

Juventus looked more likely to score in the second half but failed to find the killer blow in a drab encounter.

Arsenal sit top of Group C and face Lyon next week needing only a point to progress.

After an early chance saw Juventus' Barbara Bonansea fire in a shot from 12 yards that Manuela Zinsberger saved with her leg before Lineth Beerensteyn shanked the rebound wide, the Gunners settled into the match.

The hosts, though, lacked ruthlessness in front of goal as Miedema, Blackstenius and Katie McCabe all posed a threat but with the Gunners only able to make one of their 14 shots count.

Blackstenius found the back of the net when Caitlin Foord's pass released her but the Swedish forward's run was timed too early and the goal was chalked off for offside.

But Blackstenius' cross, which evaded Juventus goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, found Miedema unmarked at the back post and she thumped home on the half-volley for her third goal in as many games.

Juventus boss Joe Montemurro, returning to Arsenal for the first time since leaving the London club in 2021, said before the game it would be "special" to play at the Emirates but saw his side struggle to get in the game.

The Italians were more energetic in the second half but failed to create any meaningful chances and will face Zurich next week in a bid to keep their hopes of qualification from a tough group alive.

Had Lyon been stopped by Zurich on Wednesday Arsenal could have progressed to the knockout phase but the eight-time European champions' 4-0 victory means the Gunners will have to wait until they come face-to-face next week at Emirates Stadium.

    Reaction from Arsenal's victory over Juventus

Miedema thriving after leave of absence

It was certainly no vintage performance from Arsenal as they had chances to add to their lead and, on another night, could have been punished for their failure to be clinical in north London.

But as Arsenal's injury woes continue, with Beth Mead, Kim Little and Lina Hurtig all still sidelined, the return to form of Miedema will provide a welcome relief to boss Jonas Eidevall.

"It's as easy as being mentally ready to play and to train and to enjoy," said Eidevall. "In the last two games here, we've seen some brilliant stuff from her both in attack and defence.

"The weight of her passes and her touches, it's extraordinary how well she's doing things like that.

"If we finished a bit better, we would talk of her having multiple assists in these games as well and not only scoring goals. I'm very happy for her that she is able to show these performances."

Since Manchester United ended Arsenal's 14-game winning run in the WSL in November, she has provided Arsenal's only three goals.

Before her strike proved the difference on Wednesday she scored the only goal against Everton in the league on Saturday, while her header in Italy secured a point against Juventus a fortnight ago.

The Dutch forward was granted a leave of absence in November and spoke this week about the importance of players not being afraid to take breaks should they need to.

It seems that break has worked a treat as their all-time top goalscorer looked her usual dynamic self, dropping deep to win the ball back and creating chances.

England captain Leah Williamson started her first match since returning from a foot injury and Rafaelle Souza replaced her in the second half, making her first appearance on her comeback from injury.

    Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text

Line-upsArsenal Women

Formation 4-3-3

1Zinsberger26Wienroither6Williamson3Wubben-Moy7Catley13Wälti11Miedema12Maanum15McCabe25Blackstenius19Foord

    1Zinsberger26Wienroither6WilliamsonSubstituted forCarvalho Souzaat 62'minutes3Wubben-Moy7Catley13Wälti11Miedema12Maanum15McCabe25BlacksteniusSubstituted forNobbsat 79'minutes19FoordSubstituted forBeattieat 90+2'minutes

Substitutes

    2Carvalho Souza5Beattie8Nobbs16Maritz18Marckese23Iwabuchi59Agyemang

Juventus Femminile

Formation 4-3-3

16Peyraud-Magnin71Lenzini32Sembrant23Salvai13Boattin21Caruso2Pedersen15Grosso11Bonansea10Girelli18Beerensteyn

    16Peyraud-Magnin71Lenzini32Sembrant23Salvai13Boattin21CarusoSubstituted forCantoreat 65'minutes2PedersenSubstituted forGunnarsdóttirat 80'minutes15Grosso11BonanseaSubstituted forCernoiaat 45'minutes10GirelliSubstituted forBonfantiniat 89'minutes18Beerensteyn

Substitutes

    1Aprile7Cernoia8Rosucci9Cantore12Lundorf19Zamanian22Bonfantini27Schatzer33Duljan38Forcinella77Gunnarsdóttir

Referee:Ivana MartincicMatch StatsHome TeamArsenal WomenAway TeamJuventus FemminilePossessionHome48%Away52%ShotsHome15Away8Shots on TargetHome3Away2CornersHome8Away3FoulsHome6Away5Live Text Post update

Match ends, Arsenal Women 1, Juventus Femminile 0.

90'+5'Full Time

Second Half ends, Arsenal Women 1, Juventus Femminile 0.

90'+3'Post update

Martina Lenzini (Juventus Femminile) wins a free kick on the right wing.

90'+3'Post update

Foul by Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal Women).

90'+2'Substitution

Substitution, Arsenal Women. Jen Beattie replaces Caitlin Foord.

90'+1'Post update

Attempt missed. Lisa Boattin (Juventus Femminile) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Linda Sembrant.

90'+1'Post update

Offside, Arsenal Women. Vivianne Miedema tries a through ball, but Caitlin Foord is caught offside.

89'Substitution

Substitution, Juventus Femminile. Agnese Bonfantini replaces Cristiana Girelli.

89'Post update

Attempt missed. Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Vivianne Miedema.

87'Post update

Foul by Sofia Cantore (Juventus Femminile).

87'Post update

Lia Wälti (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

86'Post update

Attempt blocked. Katie McCabe (Arsenal Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

86'Post update

Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Martina Lenzini.

84'Post update

Offside, Arsenal Women. Caitlin Foord tries a through ball, but Katie McCabe is caught offside.

83'Post update

Offside, Arsenal Women. Stephanie-Elise Catley tries a through ball, but Jordan Nobbs is caught offside.

82'Post update

Attempt saved. Julia Grosso (Juventus Femminile) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Martina Lenzini.

80'Substitution

Substitution, Juventus Femminile. Sara Gunnarsdóttir replaces Sofie Pedersen.

79'Substitution

Substitution, Arsenal Women. Jordan Nobbs replaces Stina Blackstenius.

79'Post update

Foul by Valentina Cernoia (Juventus Femminile).

79'Post update

Lia Wälti (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

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Source: bbc.com

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